taking cover

I schlepped around town today, shopping - and lo, I hate shopping - for a spring jacket, one with a hood but the buyers that be and I were not on the same page. They missed the 'spring showers = spring flowers' memo and I had to look and scrounge and even stop by the store of ill repute.

(And then Stephanie passed out. The End.)

I was circling a rounder at Kohl's when a mindless shopper pulled a tad too hard on a hanger, and plunked me upside the head. Of course, I know she wasn't aiming for my noggin, but she didn't acknowledge the blunder either and well. I was rather irritated.

First the shopping for the Elusive Coat.
Then, I am assaulted by a rude woman.
And if my eyes weren't bone dry from Sjogren's right now, I might have cried real girl tears, right there and then.

It wasn't the shopping or my eyes. I've just been feeling a bit...

Sad because a dear friend heard alarming medical news, for herself and her pregnancy.

Sad because the economy is hitting home and hitting hard as both of my best friends' husbands are looking for jobs.

Sad because this family has suffered a terrible blow; I've admired this local writer and counselor since I was a teenager, when I sought much needed advice during a rough time in my life.

I guess I am just acting out, being crabby.

I know my friends are capable and I believe that these hard times won't last forever. I'm an optimist, deep down and true.

But for now, I am brewing a strong cup of tea and waiting for this grief to pass.